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2002 Jeep Liberty
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| Taking liberties with the Jeep brand. |
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:38:24 |
| Rating |
 451 ( 17 +3.76% ) | | Author | Sue Mead |
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Description:
---> CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- This east-coast community, nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is nothing like the high Sierras of California and the legendary Rubicon Trail. That's where all Jeep vehicles cut their teeth and where true Jeepers eat boulders for breakfast and sugarcoat their cereal with a few heart-arresting drop-offs thrown in along the course for good measure.
But, don't think for a moment that this newest Jeep hasn't already had its teething exercise on the Rubicon. It has, and Mark Smith, the granddaddy of four-wheeling and founder of Jeep Jamboree USA, pronounced the all-new Liberty a "true Jeep."
It's a rare event at Jeep, the launch of an all-new product line. The last one was in 1992, when Chrysler added the Grand Cherokee to its stable, joining the stalwart Wrangler (which was born with military heritage as the Willys Jeep in 1942) and the venerable Cherokee (which some say launched the SUV craze in 1984). Beginning this summer, the celebrated SUV division of DaimlerChrysler will sell the compact Liberty alongside its Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, although its time-honored Cherokee will head to the dustbin soon after, it's been announced.
DaimlerChrysler hopes that Cherokee enthusiasts - who purchased some 140,000 in the model year 2000 - will become Liberty loyalists, along with other new buyers.
The 2002 Liberty represents a further move toward around-town and highway performance for the traditionally off-road-oriented Jeep brand, and considerable effort has been made by the designers of this new Jeep to maximize everyday use without compromising the rugged performance that has earned this nameplate its current fame.
Dakar roots
Liberty can trace its design roots to the 1997 Dakar concept vehicle -- a four-door Wrangler designed for the outdoor enthusiast -- yet it is an entirely new vehicle on a modern platform. Like the Dakar concept, Liberty offers bold, function-driven aesthetics, an upright profile, and excellent space efficiency.
The 1998 Jeepster design study also provided some brand-identifying styling cues. From the seven-slat grille and round headlamps to the rugged fender flares, low beltline, short overhangs, and high glass-to-body proportion, the Liberty is from any angle immediately recognizable as a Jeep product. Upon closer inspection, a pleasant surprise, especially for Jeep: the body gaps, especially between the rubberized fenders and the stamped steel body, are impressively small and uniform, thanks we're told to the extensive use of three-dimensional design software and the accuracy of an all-new assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio.
--->Like the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models, the Liberty (it's known in-house as the KJ chassis) uses unitized construction, meaning that the frame members and the body panels are welded into a single unit. Thus, Jeep claims, the Liberty is stiffer and lighter than a comparable body-on-frame design while better suited to absorbing energy and protecting passengers in the event of a crash. In fact, with the newest technology and materials, it offers 58 percent better bend resistance and 43 percent better torsonial rigidity than the model it replaces.
Jeep engineers designed an all-new front suspension for their latest SUV and, while fully independent for ride quality, it retains a generous eight inches of wheel travel that is a prerequisite for true off-roading. A mix of sturdiness and responsiveness come from the cast-iron lower control arms, permanently lubricated steering knuckles, and the lightweight forged-steel
upper links. The rear suspension, also coil-sprung, is derived from the setup used on the Grand Cherokee. An all-new rack-and-pinion steering arrangement - the first in a Jeep - was developed to provide positive feedback and more precise control.
Urban architecture
Under the sloping hood (it allows for excellent visibility while in the woods or the urban jungle) Jeep has installed a six-cylinder version of the Grand Cherokee's V-8 engine. With 90-degree architecture, an even-firing crank, active knock sensing, and a gear-driven balance shaft, the 3.7-liter V-6 makes 210 horsepower with supple smoothness. Also available are a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder and an international-only PowerTech common rail 2.5-liter, in-line four direct injection turbodiesel. Both versions are available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Properly equipped, the Liberty can tow an impressive 5000 pounds.
Standard on all U.S.-spec Liberty models will be a shift-on-the-fly part-time Command-Trac 4WD transfer case. Optional is the full-time Selec-Trac system, as well as an off-road equipment group (Up-Country package) which includes skid plates for the front, transfer case, oil pan and fuel tank; a heavy-duty cooling system; heavy duty gas shocks with load leveling control; and P235/70-R16 all-terrain tires. A locking rear differential is optional. Both transfer cases have a low range for hard-core Jeeping.
Of great importance is safety equipment, since today's daily commutes sometimes poses a greater threat to life and limb than the Rubicon Trail. Front airbags -- of the multi-stage type that adjust their inflation force to the severity of the accident -- are standard, and side-curtain airbags are optional. These head-protecting devices are a first for Jeep. Additional safety features include force-limiters on both front seat belts and a three-point belt for the middle rear seat. The new LATCH child-seat tethers are standard, the interior materials meet 2003 head-impact standards, and the large rearview mirrors, broad-sweeping wipers, and halogen headlamps provide the visibility needed for accident-avoidance. Anti-lock brakes are an option, although the braking system has been optimized for short stops both on and off-road.
Interior styling in this five-passenger model (two up front, three in the rear) takes its inspiration from the Jeepster concept and, with its emphasis on geometric lines and round dash vents, harmonizes nicely with the exterior. Black-on-beige gauges, deep-sculpted doors, and satin chrome highlights provide an upscale yet utilitarian look. Woven cloth upholstery is standard, and two-tone leather is available.
The rear seat folds in a 65/35 split with just one hand, and the rear cargo area offers tie-downs and clever hooks for grocery bags. But, perhaps best of all, the patented rear hatch release has one handle with two detents: pull it one notch, and the rear window flips up; pull it all the way and the swing gate opens as well, and away from the curb, to boot. A full-sized spare is stowed outside on the rear gate.
Cherokee upgrades
Our on-road drive around the Charlottesville environs showed that the new Jeep meets its promise for improved on-road handling. Ingress and egress, as well as interior passenger space, are improved due to its larger package (its wheelbase is three inches longer with seven inches more of overall length; it’s nine inches higher and six inches wider than the Cherokee), yet, rear seat entry is still a bit tight. The new steering has great on-center feel, but it requires some effort at slower speeds, such as maneuvering in and out of parking spaces. Cornering at speed and on off-camber macadam, we found little or no body roll.
Engine power was ample and delivered in a smooth and steady manner in both transmissions, with the larger engine being our choice of powerplant, not surprisingly. We tried out the ABS brakes, which gave little feedback with hard braking maneuvers.
Niggling complaints were with the new power window control placement on the center console, which requires some getting used to, although others, like Land Rover, have used this location longstanding. Rear seats fold with ease to aid cargo-carrying capacity, although the load floor is not quite flat.
A true delight was the somewhat serious off-road course located on the grounds of Oak Ridge, a compound now used for Jeep's annual customer relationship marketing event, Camp Jeep. The "B" course, a more technical backwoods trail through the hardwoods, showed the Liberty to have merit as an off-roader, although DaimlerChrysler is clearly more interested in luring new urban drivers to its flock.
Here, the tight turning radius of the new steering box was apparent as well as this new Jeep's suspension travel and angles of approach (38.1 degrees) and departure (32.4). We did note, however, that the independent front suspension requires a slower-speed crawl over the tough stuff in order to not bottom out on rocks and logs.
Of note are a number of unique features that give benefit for off-road driving. Automatic transmission models change the idling strategy when 4WD Low is engaged, which makes for a smoother running engine at slow speeds on the trail, and ABS brakes also "decrease the sampling rate," which means that there is less pulsing, a factor that can be upsetting on slick surfaces or steep downhill terrain. Manual transmission models, when placed in 4WD Low Range, can be started in gear without depressing the clutch, a feature for ease and safety with both uphill and downhill grades. Liberty’s sport differentials have a raised vent line in order to prevent entry of water.
Designed and marketed to compete with the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CRV, the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and Nissan Xterra, Liberty comes in two trims. The Sport model, with its two-tone body cladding, projects the traditional rugged image, while the monochromatic Limited is urban chic and includes a longer equipment list. Jeep will produce some 200,000 of its new model (30,000 will be turbodiesel versions for the European market) starting at a base price of $17,035 (2WD) and $18, 500 (4WD) while Limited versions will start at $21,795 (2WD) and $23, 305 (4WD).
2002 Jeep Liberty
Base price: $ 17,035 (Sport 2WD); $21,795 (Limited 2WD)
Engines: 210-hp 3.7-liter V-6, 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder
Transmissions: Five-speed manual, four-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 104.3 in
Length: 174.7 in
Width: 71.6 in
Height: 70.7 in
Curb weight: 3692 - 3857 lb
Safety equipment: Front-seat inflatable restraint system; force-limiters on both front seat belts and a three-point belt for the middle rear seat; LATCH
child-seat tethers and interior materials meet 2003 head-impact standards
Major standard features: AM/FM cassette radio with CD changer controls and six speakers
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles |
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